you might be interested in this little program...

[RgrPett]

After using Do Not Track+ for nearly 3 hours with Firefox, it has blocked 351 trackers. I just went onto Facebook's home page (I do not have a Facebook account) and Do Not Track instantly blocked 44 more trackers.

Thanks Cornell for tipping us off to this program.

Roger P

I just clicked on the installed program (while in this thread) to see how many sites it has blocked so I could report the number and up came an interesting message. It gave me the choice to block sowpub from tracking me or not block sowpub from tracking me.

Why would sowpub track me? I don't know and don't care since I voluntarily joined this forum and really like it. But, the program nonetheless gave me the option so now I am curious.

What was it really telling me?

Cornell, would you have any idea?

Anyone else using it, have any ideas?

Thank you,

Tom

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by sandalwood

I just clicked on the installed program (while in this thread) to see how many sites it has blocked so I could report the number and up came an interesting message. It gave me the choice to block sowpub from tracking me or not block sowpub from tracking me.

Why would sowpub track me? I don't know and don't care since I voluntarily joined this forum and really like it. But, the program nonetheless gave me the option so now I am curious.

What was it really telling me?

Cornell, would you have any idea?

Anyone else using it, have any ideas?

Hi Tom,

It most likely is related to the vBulletin software we use for the forum.

Might have to do with "cookies" (so that the forum "remembers" who you are, so you can be "automatically" logged in when you visit)?

That's the only thing I can think of at the moment...

The only "fancy schmancy" software I use on Sowpub is the forum software, so I don't think it could be anything else...!

Best wishes,

Dien

Originally Posted by Dien Rice

Hi Tom,

It most likely is related to the vBulletin software we use for the forum.

Might have to do with "cookies" (so that the forum "remembers" who you are, so you can be "automatically" logged in when you visit)?

That's the only thing I can think of at the moment...

The only "fancy schmancy" software I use on Sowpub is the forum software, so I don't think it could be anything else...!

Best wishes,

Dien

Dien,

That's what I thought but couldn't articulate it given my no tech knowledge base. The program is probably geared to id what you explained. I didn't try it while I was on the WF but will to see what it says about them.

At least we are learning something. All it takes is one dumb bunny (me) to start walking out into the water and we all learn how deep it is

Tom

I don't know if anyone is interested in this article but it covers do not track in a very decent manner:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/how-to...cking-you.html

It offers 5 alternatives including DNT+ (#1 on the list)

Tom

[RgrPett]

Collusion works on Firefox even though the article leaves the impression that it doesn't.

Here's an article comparing Do Not Track Plus to Ghostery http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/do-...s-vs-ghostery/

I have 3 browsers (Firefox, Chrome and IE9) and am currently running Do Not Track Plus, Ghostery and Collusion on all 3.

So far I favor Do Not Track Plus, followed by Ghostery.

Roger P

Originally Posted by RgrPett

Collusion works on Firefox even though the article leaves the impression that it doesn't.

Here's an article comparing Do Not Track Plus to Ghostery http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/do-...s-vs-ghostery/

I have 3 browsers (Firefox, Chrome and IE9) and am currently running Do Not Track Plus, Ghostery and Collusion on all 3.

So far I favor Do Not Track Plus, followed by Ghostery.

Roger P

Thanks for the info Roger.

Tom

[RgrPett]

1. Do Not Track Plus is NOT the same thing as the Do Not Track feature that comes with some browsers. If your browser has a Do Not Track feature, do not depend on it to fully protect you.

2. Do Not Track Plus blocks all trackers by default. You install it and it starts blocking trackers the instant you go online with it. You have the option to unblock selected trackers at any time.

3. Ghostery does NOT block trackers by default. After installing it you need to go to its settings menu and select what type of trackers you want to block. Otherwise it will show who is tracking you but they won't be blocked until you tell it to.

4. Any of these tracking blockers needs to be downloaded and installed individually on each of your browsers.

Roger P

Hi Tom:

If you open the DNT+ t you will see the 3 icons (social networks, ad network, and companies)

Clicking on an icon will tell you who is doing the tracking.

Right now while I am on SOWPub I have 5 trackers blocked.....no social...1 ad....4 companies - 2 of which are Google.

Also the 1 ad is from Quantcast and after reading about them I think it may be coming from the hosting server for SOWPub.

Chartbeat...is an analytical script that may be monitoring the forum activities ...at least that is what I am taking from their web site.

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Cornell

Hi Tom:

If you open the DNT+ t you will see the 3 icons (social networks, ad network, and companies)

Clicking on an icon will tell you who is doing the tracking.

Right now while I am on SOWPub I have 5 trackers blocked.....no social...1 ad....4 companies - 2 of which are Google.

Also the 1 ad is from Quantcast and after reading about them I think it may be coming from the hosting server for SOWPub.

Chartbeat...is an analytical script that may be monitoring the forum activities ...at least that is what I am taking from their web site.

Hi Cornell,

Oh yeah, I forgot about the Google ads...

Best wishes,

Dien